This was a fun one and I like the way it turned out.

The hardest thing about it was the title. Harmony had always been the working title but I couldn't find any way to jazz it up. It wasn't until after the poem had been written that I came up with the current title. I like the polarity between the words, fighting and harmony.

​United in purpose, in thoughts and decisions,
I beg you to be of one mind.
Let harmony flow so there are no divisions;
the church should be ever aligned.

Why criticize your brother's motive or action?
Why try to make him appear small?
His life does not need to meet your satisfaction
or precepts you've nailed to the wall.

Why, who made you judge and a jury demanding
your brother meets laws of your own?
One day we will all face true judgement when standing
before mighty God at his throne.

Agree to pursue what makes peace with your brother,
encouraging words are a start!
The worldly ones with no thought for another
are those who split churches apart.​

A gossip shares secrets with those undiscerning;
avoid such a blowhard as friend.
Without any fuel raging fires stop burning;
no gossip brings tensions an end.

If any believer or brother has wronged you,
confront him to work issues out.
If he will not listen take others along to
be witnesses, ending all doubt.

Submit to your leaders whose only ambition
is keeping their eye on your soul.
With joy let them lead you with not one condition;
it profits you not, on the whole.

I urge you to honor the leaders who guide you,
their work is exceedingly hard.
Advising, instructing, for walking beside you — 
esteem them with highest regard.

After I had finished reading through Leviticus and having written only one poem from that book — well, I was okay with that. But, when I started reading Numbers and found the story of Nadab and Abihu reviewed once more, I thought I should take another look at that story back in Leviticus. If it was important enough to bring up again, then it must be important.

You can read the story found in Leviticus on your own. But, the thing that stood out to me was how Aaron and his two remaining sons were not allowed to grieve their obvious loss. I've heard this story before and moved on without giving it much thought. But, when I stop to put myself in Aaron's sandals and replace his two sons with my two sons, it makes it real and suddenly I see it in a new light.

​O, Nadab, my firstborn!  O, what have you done?
What caused you to burn this strange fire?
Did you think that I could protect you, my son,
if you went against God's desire?
Did you not believe when, before everyone,
​God stated the rules he'd require?

Abihu, I loved you, and will till I die;
you've followed the path of your brother.
You've always contested each other to vie
to see who could better the other.
Now, memories of you are too few to supply
true solace for me and your mother.

My children, my sons, and the first of my joys,
I longed to embrace you, bereaving.
But, Moses convinced me to maintain my poise,
stand firm when I saw you not breathing.
In public, though I could not mourn for you boys,
my heart will forever be grieving.

As mentioned last week, this poem took longer than normal for me to write. But, I was also working on another project during this time — so that was part of the delay.

This was one the those times when I had the title of the poem before writing a single word. Rick Warren wrote in chapter 20 (Restoring Broken Fellowship) in his book, The Purpose-Driven Life:

So, armed with a title, a bunch of scripture, and the grace of God I was off on another journey. And, in the process, learned the meaning of atone.

​As you've been atoned to myself through my son,
I've asked you to minister grace:
make peace between me and the world​ that you face — 
atone means quite simply, at one.
Restore, or atone, your relationships now!
Disputes between Christians must end!
Agree with and love — be a like-minded friend;
splash love ​as my oceans allow.

Those working for peace are called children of God;
those causing the quarrels are not.
​There must be a wise one among you that's got
the tools to keep Christians declawed.
​What causes your quarrels? How do they begin?
You want what you cannot obtain.
You ask not so have not and flounder in vain,
and sink in your quagmire of sin.

If you enter worship, an offering to lift,
recall, then, a grudge by a friend,
just leave it — make peace with that brother again.
'Tis then you may offer your gift.
Resentment and worry bring death to the fool,
a senseless, absurd thing to do.
The person hurt most is none other than you — 
exploding with anger as fuel.

The wisdom of man keeps his anger in check;
his glory lets wrongs pass him by.
If you could remove that great log from your eye,
you might see your friend's tiny speck.
A gentle response will make angry words cease,
a sharp tongue will kindle a fire.
In all that you do, may this be your desire:
be one with the world in peace.